I know several people who have worked here. The food is really good, like seriously very delicious gourmet dishes. The service is pretty good, too, but the owners are incredibly mean to their employees, current and former. They are sometimes behind on their food inventory orders, so even though they often boast organic dairy, it's just plain milk from the gas station across the street. I think the initial hurrah for this place came from a few good newspaper reviews and an NPR advertisement that aired for a while.
Their coffee is from down the street (Coffee Cartel) so it's very good. Essence partners with Cartel so you'll see macaroons and croissants at Cartel from here marked up a bit--so buy them at Essence and get more for cheaper.
I'm a recent college graduate--I'd probably bring my parents here for a nice breakfast if they were ever in town but honestly, it's just too expensive. Go to nCounter nearby for a more appropriately priced breakfast. If you are in the market for actual bakery items however, this is the spot. You can tell they spend a long time on their delicacies and I can't think of a better bakery in town.
I'd give them a 3.5 if I could.